Honestly, can it get much worse for the lovable losers?
Yesterday, the Cubs got shutout by a pitcher who WAS OUT OF BASEBALL for three years and before he left the game he wasn't even a pitcher, he was a SHORSTOP. So, essentially, the Cubs were shutout by a shortstop. Of course blowing another one of Sean Marshall's good starts--one of the only bright spots for the team this year.
How can one player make that big of a difference as Derrek Lee? The Cubs won 7 games in the month of May, worst in the NL. Everybody but Ernie Banks has hit 3rd for the Cubs since Lee went down. They have to put 4 foot tall Todd Walker at first because Jim Hendry found it unnecessary to get a first baseman. Our best hitter before Lee went down, Michael Barrett, couldn't hit anything in May except for AJ Pierzynski, and now he timed his comeback perfectly with an ensuing suspension. Aramis Ramirez is hitting .240 with 10 home runs. Juan Pierre, the multi-million dollar leadoff man gets on base about just as much as Greg Maddux does. Neifi Perez is hitting a whopping .192 and to solve our problems, Jim Hendry picked up Tony Womack, who was in the minors for a month of the season.
Prior and Wood still lead the league in simulated innings pitched and Zambrano is the most inconsistent pitcher in baseball. Even calm and collected Greg Maddux can't keep his cool. Ryan Dempster, the only reliable pitcher during the slump, blew his fair share of saves. Right now the only bright spots I can see are: Jacque Jones, Ronny Cedeno, Matt Murton, and the middle relief. But us Cub fans have been spoiled in the past 8 years. They made the playoffs twice and almost made the World Series. Every year since 2003 expectations have been sky-high and we forget how bad the Cubs have been and are supposed to be. Sometimes we have to remember that it's not that odd to say 'Wait 'till next year' in June with the Cubbies.
So, what should they do? Well trading Mark Prior won't do anything. Look at Corey Patterson since he left the Cubs, he leads the AL in stolen bases. I'd rather Prior turn out to be a decent 2 or 3 starter for the Cubs for his whole career than be a Cy Young winner for another team because I'm sick of the Cubs giving up talent. We can trade Wood, but what the Cubs need is offense, and lots of it. In 2003 when the pennant race was in full gear, the Cubs went out and got Randall Simon and Aramis Ramirez--and we weren't even in panic mode. I think it's safe to say the Cubs were in panic mode for a while and all they got was Tony Womack. Now we're in 'win one game a week' mode.
Let's not spoil ourselves as Cub fans and remember that they're supposed to be awful. Yes, we should be optimistic, but I'd rather prepare for failure and hope for a surprise than be disappointed.
Hey, how can the Cubs complain though? There's still 40,000 at Wrigley everyday.
I agree with a lot of what you wrote with the exceptions of Zambrano's inconsistency. 8 quality starts out of 10. He admittedly stated that he was dropping his shoulder and tipping off pitches in the early part of the season. Nobody is going to take Wood in a trade, he still has to find a way to make two consecutive starts.
The Cubs went into the season without a solid starting staff, thanks Hendry! This team is actually worse than the '02 version. But hey, why would anything change when nearly 40,000 show up to every home game? The Tribune Co has no need to give the North Side a winner.
Kev, good article too bad it is coming from a both fan this is a very sox sided point of view I thought you were 50/50......haha im just messing with you nice article I like it
It still a weird one that the Cubs seem to win more games against teams that are way better than them, and then turn around and get swept by teams like the Marlins. I think when their best players get back they will have an easier time to actually win something. BTW, this is just my opinion of course but I think you shouldn't base all your teams pride on ballgame attendance. Just try to be proud no matter what, even if they lose and don't worry about the fan base. I did until 2005. This might be the only time you hear something this nice from a White Sox fan. Good article.
Later
Last edited by Fo_shizzle on June 11th at 12:02 PM.
My name is Kevin and I'm a sophomore studying journalism at Northwestern University. I've been a die-hard sports fan all my life, and I'm also one of those hated Cubs and White Sox fans (that's just how I was raised, to be a both fan). I'm also a huge Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks fan. My favorite sports, however, because of its pagentry and passion, are college sports and I'm a huge Northwestern and DePaul fan.
